New to hobby, seeking advice

[Babalouie]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Those wouldn't be quotes from Concept would they? Cuz my 233G with 100G sump was around $2300. Delivered. Don't seem right to me.

The $7k quote was from concept for a full plug and play package. Just the stand, tank, and sump was $1400 without delivery. The additional fee was everything else.
The lower quote was from big als for a 55 gallon. A 65 gallon would be a $100 more. But still, I thought a ricordea tank that small would be fine with a skimmer, power heads, live rock, and a quality light. I thought $2000 was a reasonable figure to be cycling a 55 gallon- no livestock, just cycling.

Or the 93g cube cycling with live sand and dead rock for 2300. Live and learn I guess

[BackPackHunter]

My 90 gallon QT tank with lids was $200
My sump I designed for it was $250
I'm a ex-welder so I'll weld out my own stand, but you can pm The Grizz on here he probably build you one.
Add $200 for plumbing
$250- for a DC pump
$500-1000 for lights
$100 for a couple heaters
500 for a skimmer
200 if you want to run bio pellets

Live rock is $$$ up to 10 a pound
If you buy it used you will save a lot
Look in the buy n sell

Just start looking on the buy n sell and keep picking up stuff
Before u know it you will have everything

Pick up the tank n sump n stand, then slowly gather up the rest

Sumps are good to have on a salt water tank

Good luck

[Babalouie]

Here is my idea. I have a 90 gallon guppy tank with an overflow leading to a 20 gallon aquarium sump. The water from the sump is pumped up and crack into the tank through a spray bar. It's nothing fancy , sump wise , and the tank is more if a utility tank.
But, I could move the guppies to a new tank and repurpose the 90 gallon for cycling a salt system, adding live/dead rock as I go and use it to get my feet wet and learn. Then when I'm ready, I can go with a more long term setup and already have all the rock and most of the equiptment and such ready to go.
Only thing I'm not sure of is a spray bar return, but I dont see a reason it should be an issue.

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Originally Posted by Babalouie

Here is my idea. I have a 90 gallon guppy tank with an overflow leading to a 20 gallon aquarium sump. The water from the sump is pumped up and crack into the tank through a spray bar. It's nothing fancy , sump wise , and the tank is more if a utility tank.
But, I could move the guppies to a new tank and repurpose the 90 gallon for cycling a salt system, adding live/dead rock as I go and use it to get my feet wet and learn. Then when I'm ready, I can go with a more long term setup and already have all the rock and most of the equiptment and such ready to go.
Only thing I'm not sure of is a spray bar return, but I dont see a reason it should be an issue.

Spray bar style return should be fine as long as it's under water as you don't want water splashing over your tank.
even a full bore return works fine.
best if you have a single or couple power heads for more tank water circulating.wether you go dry or live rock it's best to give it the proper curing process.
And slowly add what you like.
Make sure your guppies get a good home